Grant will support efforts in early childhood health

With a $25,000 grant from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, we are strengthening the health initiatives of our AmeriCorps team.

This year eight members of the team work exclusively in the field of health. Two are at WIC (Women, Infants and Children) offices administered by Children's Friend, helping staff with nutritional programs for families and with health screenings of children.

Two other members work within Head Start programs (also administered by Children's Friend) where they pair up with nurses to conduct wellness and medical screenings. Three are with Project Launch and have been assigned to pediatric clinics at St. Joseph's Hospital and Hasbro Children's Hospital. There they help families complete developmental screenings, score the screenings, and often serve as interpreters for pediatricians and families.

An eighth member is at the Meeting Street School, working in its Early Intervention program. With a team of social workers, physical, occupational and speech therapists, nurses and others, she participates in home visits and completes various administrative tasks.

Sarah Crean (above) is one of two AmeriCorps members assigned to Hasbro Children's Hospital through Project Launch.